Gaylord G. Gardner
Vermontville
Gaylord G. Gardner age 87, of Vermontville passed away on Monday, September 24, 2007 at his Vermontville home.
Mr. Gardner was born in Maple Grove Township on July 6, 1920, the son of the late Orville and Zelpha (Farley) Gardner. He was raised in the Nashville/Vermontville areas and attended local schools graduating from the W.K. Kellogg High School in 1939.
He was the husband of Bernita (Flory) Gardner. The couple was married on August 2, 1941, in Castleton Center. They made their home in the Vermontville/Nashville area where they raised their family together. The couple has been married for over 66 years.
Gaylord served in the U.S. Army during WWII. While fighting in Germany Gaylord earned the Victory medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon w/1 Bronze Battle Star, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was a lifetime member of the VFW post 8260 in Nashville and American Legion in Vermontville.
Gaylord was employed as an iron worker at Switzer, Inc. in Battle Creek, for over 20 years until he retired in 1983. He was a member of the Ironworkers Local 340 in Battle Creek.
Gaylord's passion was playing softball, which he did until the age of 86. Throughout his career Gaylord played in five World Series posing one World Series victory.
Along with his beloved wife the couple spent their winters in Leesburg, Florida. This allowed Gaylord the opportunity to play softball all year round. The couple also enjoyed spending thime together at Rice Lake in Canada.
Gaylord is survived by his beloved wife Bernita; his son Douglas (Judy) Gardner of Vermontville; daughter in-law Debbie Gardner of Sheridan; sister-in-law, Theda Gardner of Nashville; his grandchildren Gordon (Melissa) Gardner of Charlotte, Dennis (Kathy) Gardner of Livonia, Christine (Eric) Terpening of Vermontville, Scott (Dawn) Gross of Lansing, Ray Gardner of Portland, Angie (Mike) Despain of Greenville and 11 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son Dwight Gardner; brothers, Kenneth Gardner, Howard Gardner, Gerald Gardner; sister, Eleanor Greenfield, Zola Kittenger, and his sister-in-law Dorothy Gardner.
Funeral services were held at the First Congregational Church of Vermontville on Thursday, September 27, with Pastor Israel Young officiating. Interment took place at the Lakeview Cemetery Nashville.
Family request donations to Heartland Hospice or First Congregational Church of Vermontville.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville.